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Recommended
Upgrades: 1. i highly recommend getting an anti-siphon tube. this marker has frozen on me in 40 to 50 degree weather. i also plan on getting a regulator.
2. a new barrel is also a good idea, although the stock barrel is not bad. if you keep the stock barrel be sure to buy small paint, because it's diameter is relatively small.
3. you might want to think about a new hopper. i have had many balls load two, or even three, at a time.
Product Year: 2003
Strengths: 1. Easy to clean
2. Very accurate
3. Good looking
4. Lots of features.
Weaknesses: 1. Sloppy trigger.
2. The tourney lock falls off easily.
3. Freezes up easily.
Review: earlier i tested this marker against my friend's tippmann 98C and my neighbor's spyder Xtra. here are the results:
Icon vs Spyder:
first, we just shot at a non-moving target about 4 inches tall and six inches wide from about 20 yards away. the Icon was able to hit it within a few shots, but the spyder never did hit it. every ball it shot curved very far. however, this might have been due to a problem with the spyder's barrel (or a problem with the shooter). also, when we took off the barrels and shot straight out over a field, the Icon shot farther--but this is a very unreliable test because the icon's velocity adjuster may have been set much higher than the spyders, and it may have had a better angle of trajectory. so, while i admit that these are not the most reliable tests, the Icon Z did perform better than the Spyder Xtra.
Icon vs Tippmann:
when we shot at a non-moving target with the Tippmann, the balls curved a LOT. however, after a period of use you can tell how much the balls curve and compensate for it when you aim. this is a pain, but it works. The Icon hit the target within a few shots, and no aiming compensation was needed. when we took off the barrels, the Tippmann shot about eight or ten yards, and the ball curved uncontrollably. the Icon shot thirty or forty yards with very little curve. as a side note, the Icon is much quieter than the Tippman.
overall the Icon outperformed both of these markers. it comes with more features, and is literally a spyder clone, making it easy to use and clean. however, it is still a low-end blow-back. for less than $100 dollars, it is one of the better choices, but i would not want to rely on this marker in a big tournament. especially if the tourney lock falls off.
Conclusion: i would recommend this product for any entry level player. if you are looking at spyders, think about getting an Icon. it is very similar, but performs better in my experience. just be sure to get an anti-siphon tube (don't worry--they're only 5 or ten bucks).
Rating: 3 out of 10
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icon-z
icon-z
Impulse Owner #19
